NHL Rule Changes That Would Improve Playoffs

When it comes to the Stanley Cup playoffs the intensity picks up, the checks sting a little more, and space to create scoring chances becomes smaller.  Playoff hockey is exciting and tight scoring games create drama and interest like no other sport.  But goal scoring attracts ratings and more casual fans.  So what’s the NHL to do?

Instead of playing around with goalie equipment and getting someone seriously hurt, or taking the net and pushing it larger soccer-style, why not just increase the ice surface?  From Capitals Insider Chuck Gormley:

"Most NHL rinks are 200 feet long and 85 feet wide with 11 feet between the end boards and the goal line. The Olympic-sized rinks in Sochi are 210 feet long and 98 feet wide with the goal lines 13 feet from the end boards. That’s 23 more feet of ice and two more feet of real estate behind the goal line. [CSN Washington]"

It’s not as much the space created in front of the net as much as that created behind it.  If the best players in the world have space to skate and create more offense you have wider passing lanes, shooting angles change, and more set plays from behind the net can be run in the extra space.

Of course getting the owners to agree on removing a row or two of high-priced seats along the glass from their barns is about as likely as Carey Price winning the Rocket Richard trophy.  If the change did go through the down side would be coaches could alter game plans and conditioning programs to better prepare players for the extra work.

The Olympic experience would also be cheapened.  There is something magical about seeing the larger surface once every four years for the best players on the planet to play on.  But it would make the game more open without dramatic changes to technology and compromising safety.

The result would be an improved product on television which brings in more viewers and increases the next broadcast contract.  Improving the television revenues would more than make up for removing the seats to accommodate the larger rink.  If the NHL wants the best product on the ice, give the players the best ice surface.